magical_cat

A theory about ancient Slavs view about world of dead

I find this article (thanks normalhumanlibrarian of Tumblr) very fascinating, because it touches one of core aspects of Slavic paganism, and basically points out that we do not have a reliable info on whether Slavs paganism had special ruler of the Underworld. And this can be interesting question. What if Veles is not so creepy as some authors (especially Chistianized ones) depict him? What if Slavs did not had such figure as ruler of world of dead, Underworld? What if Slavs paganism did not […]

https://legends.house/a-theory-about-ancient-slavs-view-about-world-of-dead/

Feb 26 at 6:02amWeb
Show threadDjembro, RO, supports 🇺🇦🇬🇪Feb 26
@magical_cat
Fascinating. I imagine there’s a lot of symbolism in the painting. The staff he’s holding seems to be topped with a goat’s head and wrapped with the coils of a snake. What do you make of the horned figure in the background?
@koteisaev
Show threadmagical_catFeb 27

@djembro

On this painting it seems Shishkin bring into focus aspects of Veles – protector of nature and wilderness.

In this capacity, Veles often counter-posted to Perun as source of “order” and human as antithesis of wild nature. But I don’t think Perun and Veles relations much more interesting than just “endless fighting”.

Snakes are often seen as Veles symbols as keeper of wisdom & magic. Cattle animal head or skull may be seen as reference to Veles as “cattle god”, as protector of cattle animals as well.

As cattle seen as direct representation of prosperity and richness (sort of “movable property” of that times), and this gives hint on gold hidden in the earth, in the underworld. And this often allows people to say that Veles know where gold and other treasuries of earth/underworld can be found.

Famous story when during signing treaty with The Byzantine Empire of that time, Kyivian prince and his druzhina give oath calling Perun to witness their oath (may Perun turn our weapons against us if we break this auth) while people from peasantry calling Veles to witness their oath (may Veles make us yellow if we break this oath) (what seems to refers the scrofula).

It gives hints that for ordinary folk, most of whom were peasants, Veles were much more important than Perun.

Djembro, RO, supports 🇺🇦🇬🇪 (@[email protected])

@[email protected] Fascinating. I imagine there’s a lot of symbolism in the painting. The staff he’s holding seems to be topped with a goat’s head and wrapped with the coils of a snake. What do you make of the horned figure in the background? @[email protected]

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